Gold
The Famous Steakhouse
31 N. Tejon St., 227-7333
restauranteur.com/famous

People flock to The Famous day and night, be it for shrimp and crab Louis salads and head-sized burgers at lunch, or the superstar aged, prime steaks at dinner. But it takes more than massive slabs of marbled meat to make the best overall restaurant. Stiff drinks, dark woods, rich leathers and the dulcet tones of Tony Bennett and The Chairman bring a certain swagger. Toss in a potent protein-induced testosterone surge and it’s no wonder this swanky joint stole our readers’ hearts. — DTR

Bronze
Briarhurst Manor
404 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1864
briarhurst.com

Bronze
Steaksmith
3802 Maizeland Road, 596-9300
steaksmith.com

BEST

Bronze
MacKenzie’s Chop House
128 S. Tejon St., 635-3536
restauranteur.com/mackenzieschophouse.com

BEST

Downtown has gone uptown with the arrival of Metropolitain, a swank Manhattan-style lounge and restaurant. Reminiscent of The Famous, Colorado Springs’ only true Chicago-style steakhouse, the Met fills the niche of a more refined New York restaurant: Think eclectic evening fare, rather than a more staid meat-and-potatoes approach. Constructed in the former home of Mataam Fez, the underground Met has a grotto-like feel with a dark, hip, modern decor that’s great for impressing dates or business associates. The ample lounge is well-suited for martini sipping. — GE

Bronze
Salsa Brava Fresh Mexican Grill
802 Village Center Drive, 266-9244
salsabravaonline.com

Cellar dwellers enjoy bottom-feeders at Metropolitain, your favorite new restaurant. Photo By Sean Cayton

Bronze
Shuga’s Restaurant • Bar
702 S. Cascade Ave., 328-1412
shugas.com

BEST

Whenever you find a glossary and pronunciation guide at the bottom the menu, you know the kitchen is keeping close to the cutting edge. Ditto for a wine list that can be only corralled in a steel-covered three-ring binder. Bottles trot in from across the globe and the kitchen travels from France to India and back, stopping in Asia for Chinese-style crispy duck and Chef Davis’ Louisiana homestead for soft-shell crabs and jambalaya. Sunday nights bring the chance to pair your dinner with an exotic wine at half the price — so send your tongue on a world tour. — DTR

Bronze
Blue Vervain
56 Park Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-2400
bluevervain.com

Bronze
MacKenzie’s Chop House
128 S. Tejon St., 635-3536
restauranteur.com/mackenzieschophousecom

BEST

No longer the new kids on the block, the cooking Christensens are redefining fine dining with their friendly atmosphere and world-class dishes. Pleasant surroundings, professional service and flawless execution anchor Blue Vervain’s command performance. Follow haricots verts, beets, chimichurri-sauced steaks and fish with seasonal, creative and delicious desserts. — DTR

Silver
The Pepper Tree Restaurant
888 W. Moreno Ave., 471-4888
peppertreecs.com

Bronze
The Blue Star
1645 S. Tejon St., 632-1086
thebluestar.net

BEST

This cozy café exudes rustic Victorian charm. The exposed ceiling beams, inventive French doors and subtly mismatched chairs underscore Adam’s ability to balance class with an utter lack of pretension. The menu shows deference for fresh ingredients, whole grains and regional nuances without being overly chichi. The Senegalese vegetables are not to be missed, the salmon is smoked in-house and their breakfasts are a local institution. “Their pancakes are out of this world,” reveals Manitou Springs Mayor Marcy Morrison. “It’s a warm, homey atmosphere, it’s friendly and the wait staff is very attentive.”

Visit Adam’s in its new, more spacious, creek-side location in the historic Manitou Spa building as of this December. — AB

Adam’s Mountain Café separates itself from the herd. Photo By L'Aura Montgomery-Rutt

BEST

Bronze
La Baguette
Four locations
restauranteur.com/co/cs/deli.htm

Bronze
Gertrude’s Restaurant
2625 W. Colorado Ave., 471-0887
gertrudesrestaurant.com

BEST

Though Front Range Barbeque’s tender pulled chicken and Kobe beef burgers have won acclaim among the city’s most persnickety carnivores, it’s the finer details that keep the rest of us coming back. Located in a small Old Colorado City house, this homey restaurant serves plates with crunchy fried onion bits and a sweet cornbread muffin. — NZ

Silver
Red Hot & Blue
4290 N. Academy Blvd., 592-0300
redhotandblue.com

Bronze
Slayton’s Barbeque & Creamery
806 Village Center Drive, 266-5300
slaytonsbbq.com

BEST

The restaurant’s awe-inspiring hilltop location lets you look down on the rest of Colorado Springs as you dine. Feel the power as you enjoy the buffet featuring a pasta, omelet and fajita bar, two walls of desserts, fresh fruits and salads, carving stations, juice bar, seafood and more (with champagne included!). — JET

Silver
The Lake Terrace Dining Room at The Broadmoor
1 Lake Circle, 577-5733
broadmoor.com

Bronze
Cheyenne Mountain Resort “ Mountain View Dining Room
3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, 538-4000
cheyennemountain.com

BEST

According to co-owner Luke Travins, Jose Muldoon was a legendary gunslinger and tequila aficionado with an Irish-American father and a Mexican mother. The tequila-aficionado part definitely explains Jose’s expertise in the margarita realm. Travins claims there’s no secret ingredient —”just quality tequila and premium sweet and sour mix, combined with fresh-squeezed limes.”

So maybe it’s the family atmosphere and incredibly friendly servers that make us come back again. Or maybe locals and tourists are charmed by the festive spirit that spills out to the streets during summer. Or is it the lush back patio? Ponder it over a plate of nachos, a margarita and fried ice cream, perhaps? — BS

Here’s to Southern cooking at Front Range Barbeque. Photo By Peter Fecteau

Ritz Grill
15 S. Tejon St., 635-8484
ritzgrill.com

Bronze
Southside Johnny’s
528 S. Tejon St., 444-8487
southsidejohnnys.biz

BEST

Bronze
The Margarita at PineCreek
7350 Pine Creek Road, 598-8667
restauranteur.com/margaritapinecreekcom

Bronze
Sonterra Grill
28 S. Tejon St., 471-9222
sonterragrill.com

BEST

Kids know what they like, and so does Red Robin — a full kids’ menu, plus “adult” menu items like freckled lemonade, bottomless french fries, 25 burger choices and monstrous malts. Parents can relax while kids enjoy play-’til-you-win arcade games, helium balloons and, if they’re lucky, a visit from Red Robin himself. — JET

Silver
Poor Richard’s Restaurant
324 N. Tejon St., 632-7721

Bronze
Fargo’s Pizza Co.
2910 E. Platte Ave., 473-5540
fargospizza.com

BEST

Make sure your pub crawl includes a pint at Phantom Canyon; you can view what’s on tap monthly at their Web site. The menu lavishes patrons with an eclectic cuisine, featuring eats such as pizza, fish and chips, fondue and bread pudding. Hop upstairs and shoot some pool to complete a lovely evening. — TS

Silver
Craftwood Inn
404 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, 685-9000
craftwoodinn.com

Bronze
The Wines of Colorado
8045 W. U.S. Hwy. 24, Cascade, 684-0900
winesofcolorado.com

Even Crazy Fruit Man digs the fauxhawk — check him out at Sunbird. Photo By Bruce Elliott

BEST

If romance were a place, it would be Briarhurst Manor. The fantastic food is matched only by the beauty of the historic building and grounds. Whether your reception includes two or 250 guests, the manor offers an intimate, elegant feel in a fairy-tale setting at the foot of Pikes Peak. — JET

Silver
The Broadmoor Hotel
1 Lake Circle 634-7711
broadmoor.com

Bronze
Craftwood Inn
404 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, 685-9000
craftwoodinn.com

BEST

The Web site calls this restaurant a “stylish, high-energy bistro.” But don’t spend all your time power-walking in your electric yellow jumpsuit; the food will keep you busy enough. There’s a whole section on the menu devoted to Sichuan, a region in China where the food is spicy and saucy. Yum. — FG

Silver
Silver Pond Chinese Restaurant
5670 N. Academy Blvd., 594-9343
bestsilverpondchinese.com

Bronze
China Village Restaurant
203 N. Union Blvd., 475-8299

BEST

With a menu culled from a collection of family recipes spread all over Mexico through five generations, there is no reproducing a meal from Amanda’s Fonda. Nine years in business attest to the success of its steaming enchiladas and bottomless chips and salsa, to say nothing of its beautiful creekside locale. Amanda’s Fonda draws in a regular crowd of locals, and, in a rare double-play, can claim to be a favorite tourist spot. The restaurant is planning a menu update in the near future, but don’t worry — it won’t drop what keeps you coming back. — LP

Bronze
Jose Muldoon’s
222 N. Tejon St., 636-2311
josemuldoons.com

Bronze
The Loop
965 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-9344
theloopatmanitou.com

Bronze
3 Margaritas
3956 N. Academy Blvd., 573-5065
6385 N. Academy Blvd., 532-1743
310 S. Academy Blvd., 596-5414
3margaritas.net

Gatorade’s newest flavor: Fierce Aqua Margarita, available only at Amanda’s Fonda. Photo By Sean Cayton

BEST

Mona Lisa’s smiling because her after-work social hour visited the no-reservations-required wine cellar for a wine tasting, followed by fondue in the upstairs quarters. The Mona Lisa’s homey atmosphere, along with roughly 150 varieties of wine and heavenly cheeses, evokes a playfulness that calls for double dipping. — TS

Silver
The Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant
30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., 385-0300
meltingpot.com

Bronze
None

BEST

Hidden in plain sight on Colorado Avenue in Old Colorado City, La Petite Maison quietly goes about serving some of the city’s finest cuisine. The ambience of the Victorian cottage lends itself to a dining experience that employees — and, probably, countless diners — describe as “good food and good wine ... a perfect match.” — KB

Silver
La Creperie Bistro
204 N. Tejon St., 632-0984

Bronze
La Baguette
Four locations
restauranteur.com/co/cs/deli.htm

BEST

If zigeunerschnitzel, spiessbraten, spatzle and Weihenstephan look like word scrambles to you, it’s high time you haul your hinterende over to Edelweiss for a lesson in Deutsch. Whether it’s lunch, dinner, dessert or rounds of rich German beer, they’ll have you saying ein mehr in no time. — CSB

Silver
Uwe’s German Restaurant
31 N. Iowa Ave., 475-1611

Bronze
Old Heidelberg Pastry Shop & Café
1109 S. Tejon St., 634-1052
3609 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., 536-0979

Bronze
Old Heidelberg Pastry Shop & Café
1109 S. Tejon St., 634-1052
3609 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., 536-0979

BEST

Since 1997, Jake & Telly’s has helped us swirl an expertly recommended wine to compliment perfectly cooked lamb. The second-story patio has allowed us to look down on the foolish people who pass by J&T’s, completely oblivious to the caliber of tzatziki sauce they so callously breeze by. — SK

Surrender your senses at La Petite Maison. Photo By Jon Kelley

Silver
Zorbadillo’s Heavenly Greek and Mexican
604 S. Union Blvd., 447-9290

Bronze
Caspian Café
4375 Sinton Road, 528-1155
caspiancafe.com

BEST

King’s Chef isn’t shy about pouring the best green chili in town over anything you so please. The taste lures you in while the spice knocks you down. I’ll never forget my server’s amusement when I took my first bite and peppered the chili with compliments — in between panicked gulps of spice-dulling coffee. — SK

Silver
Western Omelette Restaurant
16 S. Walnut St., 636-2286

Bronze
El Taco Rey
330 E. Colorado Ave., 475-9722

BEST

Indian cuisine is like a warm hug from an old friend. Every time I eat it, I get all sappy and jovial. I go for the veggie dishes: saag paneer, bengan-bhurtha and aloo gobi are all exquisite when scooped with garlic naan and onion kulcha. And don’t get me started on the mango shakes ... — MS

Silver
Mirch Masala
5047 N. Academy Blvd., 599-0003
mirchmasalacuisine.com

Bronze
Everest Nepal Restaurant
28 E. Bijou St., 473-3890

BEST

“We have a lot of signature dishes that have a home-cooked feel,” says manager Sarah Passow. Paravicini’s offers a bevy of seafood choices, a lavish variety of enticing cream sauces and veal cooked eight different ways. It also offers monthly cooking classes on-site. Look forward to opening a new location in Palmer Lake soon. — AB

Silver
Luigi’s Homemade Italian Food
947 S. Tejon St., 632-7339
luigiscoloradosprings.com

Bronze
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
2815 Geyser Drive, 527-1126
7120 Campus Drive, 264-0401
carrabbas.com

BEST

By the beard of Zeus, Jake & Telly’s is good eatin’! Photo By Peter Fecteau

Jun has been voted Best Sushi for 10 consecutive years, and for good reason. The hardwood sushi bar, the chef’s expertise with a knife and the warm décor all make for a unique and welcoming dining experience. Start with some miso soup and then go all-out with the fresh sea eel, California maki and spicy tuna. — SK

BEST

Bronze
Musashi
1765 N. Academy Blvd., 597-0634

Bronze
Fujiyama
28 S. Tejon St., Suite A, 630-1167

BEST

Whether you’re looking for comfort food to eat all by yourself, or you want to create your own Lady and the Tramp moment with a significant other, Noodles & Company has you covered. They go global and al dente on noodles, and serve you your stroganoff — or stir-fry — with a smile. — KW

Silver
Saigon Café
20 E. Colorado Ave., 633-2888

Bronze
An Nam Vietnamese and Chinese Restaurant
6928 Mesa Ridge Pkwy., 390-8700

BEST

Me, I’m a Cadillac Margarita man — an ounce of Grand Marnier with my tequila and lime. The Loop offers a slew of other specialty margaritas to fall in love with (none of them named for spacious cars). And the best part about ‘em is they’re big and sweet, like a hippopotamus rolled in sugar. — MS

Silver
Jose Muldoon’s
222 N. Tejon St., 636-2311
josemuldoons.com

Bronze
Amanda’s Fonda Mexican Restaurant
3625 W. Colorado Ave., 227-1975
amandasfonda.com

BEST

Chef Daniel White pleases local palates with Mediterranean meals varying from French and Greek classics, such as steak Nicoise and gyros to Middle Eastern dishes like falafel and shish taouk. The Caspian Café has a full-service bar and private dining area available for banquets. Come at 7 p.m. on Thursday or Saturday to fill your belly while live dancers shimmy theirs. — TD

Silver
Mediterranean Café
118 E. Kiowa St., 633-0115

Green chili so good, you’ll forget where you are. Photo By Jon Kelley

Bronze
Tajine Alami
10 Old Man’s Trail, Manitou Springs, 685-1119
tajinealami.com

BEST

Monica’s menu is something of a matrix — diners choose their meat and a delivery system. Reigning over this kingdom of choice is the carne asada burrito, a fresh tortilla loaded with grilled steak and nothing more. No beans or rice detract from this greasy-in-a-good-way cylinder of joy. — DTR

Silver
El Taco Rey
330 E. Colorado Ave., 475-9722

Bronze
La Casita Patio Café
Four locations
restauranteur.com/lacasitapatiocafecom

BEST

Texas may not be its home, and fried jalapeño slices may be the only remotely Mexican menu item, but readers call it the best Tex-Mex in town. Perhaps this Indiana chain’s family-friendly environment, longhorn flavors (steak and barbecued ribs), Texas-sized portions and reasonable prices distracted y’all. — DTR

Silver
La Casita Patio Café
Four locations
restauranteur.com/lacasitapatiocafecom

Bronze
Sonterra Grill
28 S. Tejon St., 471-9222
sonterragrill.com

BEST

So the recent coup in Thailand is something for table talk these days. While the outcome takes shape, why not indulge in Thai delicacies and see what owner extraordinaire Khon has to say about it? Rest assured, she’ll find a way to make you laugh over an outstanding curry coconut dish or one of Wild Ginger’s other addictive and annually award-winning dishes. — MS

Silver
Little Bangkok
109 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 442-6546

Bronze
Bhan Thai
1025 N. Academy Blvd., 574-3401
bhanthai.net

BEST

The unassuming décor of this eatery belies the fact that these talented chefs have been expanding the palates of downtown for years. The juxtaposition of hot foods with crisp, fresh vegetables, and the inventive use of tender herbs and tantalizing sauces — it’s all so good that anyone who doesn’t get a bi-monthly craving for Saigon Café probably just hasn’t eaten there yet. — BS

Paravicini’s: where wine flows like gerbil water. Photo By L'Aura Montgomery-Rutt

Silver
Saigon Grill
3119 W. Colorado Ave., 635-0336

Bronze
Saigon Springs
3408 N. Academy Blvd., 597-1175

BEST

CC kids, downtown business folks, hipsters and families love the large sandwiches, homemade soups and pastries here. Don’t forget the bagel melts, which simply cannot be duplicated at home. But let’s also applaud Wooglin’s for its newest addition: the graffiti mural that changes every couple of months. — BS

Silver
Broadway Deli
7170 N. Academy Blvd., 535-9944

Bronze
Jason’s Deli
7455 N. Academy Blvd., 302-0234
jasonsdeli.com

BEST

Silver
Country Buffet
7665 N. Academy Blvd., 590-9241
751 N. Academy Blvd., 574-1444

countrybuffet.com

Bronze
Empire Asian Buffet
5760 N. Academy Blvd., 548-0334

BEST

Stepping into 1950s-inspired Gunther Toody’s is less like traveling back in time than going to your kid sister’s birthday party. But that’s what’s so entertaining about this sock-hop of a restaurant, where “Flo” and “Archie” serve you giant burgers with “Elvis fries.” A tub of Bazooka bubble gum — 5 cents apiece — graces each entrance, along with the rare resting hula hoop. — NZ

Silver
King’s Chef Diner
110 E. Costilla St., 634-9135
kingschefdiner.com

Bronze
Ruby’s Diner
3020 New Center Point, 380-7829
rubys.com

BEST

Monica’s tacos are so good, you’ll reflect on them later.

The Pita Pit
8 E. Bijou St., 634-1748
773 Garden of the Gods Road, 277-7482
pitapitusa.com

Founded in 1995 near Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, the Pita Pit franchise provides custom-made pita shells stuffed with falafel, meats or veggies and specialty sauces. The Pita Pit opened its 100th U.S. location this year, helping folks everywhere to scrumptious and affordable take-out. — TS

Silver
Papa Murphy’s
Six locations
papamurphys.com

Bronze
Chipotle
Seven locations
chipotle.com

BEST

Denny’s
Six locations
dennys.com

For a slammin’ breakfast, a classic burger mounded with fries or a little somethin’ sweet 24 hours a day, point your headlights toward the bright yellow and red Denny’s sign rising just above the horizon. Top off your snack with their bottomless cup of special-blend coffee, and late night at Denny’s quickly becomes early morning. — CSB

Silver
Metropolitain
101 N. Tejon St., 302-0280
restauranteur.com/metropolitain

Bronze
McCabe’s Tavern
520 S. Tejon St., 633-3300
mccabestavern.com

BEST

Now in their 21st year of family-owned and -operated business (finally, legal drinking!), Louie’s has established a proud pentagonal pizza domination of the Springs. Specialty pizzas like the chicken Alfredo and taco pizza make Louie’s stand out from the usual pack of cheesy pie-slingers. — MS

Silver
Borriello Brothers Pizza
215 E. Platte Ave., 578-9312

Bronze
Poor Richard’s Restaurant
324 N. Tejon St., 632-7721

BEST

Considering the finicky disposition of most coupon-clippers and deal-watchers, it’s no small feat to nab the honor of best pizza chain. There’s a lot of competition among the delivery joints; it takes more than promotional stunts to win the public’s heart. It takes good, consistent pizza. Cheers to the Hut. — MS

See, Mom said it’s OK: Go to the Omelette Parlor for breakfast. Photo By Sean Cayton

Silver
Papa John’s
Nine locations
papajohns.com

Bronze
Papa Murphy’s
Six locations
papamurphys.com

BEST

La Casita Patio Café
Four locations
restauranteur.com/lacasitapatiocafecom

Warm, fresh, homemade tortillas are only one of La Casita’s many charms. Locally owned, and serving Colorado Springs for 20 years, La Casita restaurants offer their menu for dine-in, pick-up, large-order deliveries and full service, professional catering. They are open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. — KB

Silver
Il Vicino Wood Oven Pizza & Brewery
11 S. Tejon St., 475-9224
ilvicino.com

Bronze
3 Margaritas
3956 N. Academy Blvd., 573-5065
6385 N. Academy Blvd., 532-1743
310 S. Academy Blvd., 596-5414
3margaritas.net

BEST

Omelette Parlor is the place for old-school, cholesterol-laden breakfasts of traditional eggs, greasy slabs of meat, and all the wheat toast needed to sop up every calorie. A bright, sunny interior and warm pine floors make this place almost heaven for morning people who line up to get in on weekends. Oh, and they make a mean omelet, too. — GE

Silver
IHOP
Four locations
ihop.com

Bronze
Western Omelette
16 S. Walnut St., 636-2286

BEST

I’ll never forget the first time I saw a Thoreau quote about beans on a Chipotle cup. Though my initial reaction may have been shock, I’ve come to realize Thoreau and Chipotle have something in common — simplicity.

Chipotle’s founder, Steve Ells, built the chain on the idea of a “focused menu.” Ells wanted to use the best ingredients to create only two menu items, the burrito and the taco. Chipotle’s beef and pork come from free range, all-natural livestock. I don’t know what Thoreau would really say about Chipotle, but if buying a burrito saves a pig from a cramped corporate pen, then count me in. — FG

Next time I take a pie in the face, I really hope it’s from Marigold. Photo By Cathy Cayton

Bronze
The Pita Pit
8 E. Bijou St., 634-1748
773 Garden of the Gods Road, 277-7482
pitapitusa.com

Bronze
Old Chicago
Four locations
oldchicago.com

BEST

Sure, everyone bakes daily. Every old café with a door and rolling pin has someone who keeps bizarre hours to proof dough and make icing look like roses. But Marigold doesn’t just make breads and delicacies look good, it makes them taste really good, too. That’s the key to baked love. — MS

Silver
La Baguette
Four locations
restauranteur.com/co/cs/deli.htm

Bronze
Panera Bread
Four locations
panerabread.com

BEST

Its arms are always open. Its butter pecan syrup is always mixable with its strawberry syrup to make the best pancakes in Colorado Springs. They’re so good, you must pound the coffee so your brain can comprehend the sensation your taste buds are having. IHOP — open 24/7. God Bless America. — SK

Silver
Adam’s Mountain Café
110 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1430
adamsmountain.com

Bronze
Mountain Shadows
2223 W. Colorado Ave., 633-2122

BEST

Buy Einstein Bros. Bagels by the baker’s dozen. For breakfast: wild blueberry with maple and raisin shmear. For lunch: everything with jalapeño salsa shmear. For an afternoon snack: pumpernickel with garden veggie shmear. For dinner: plain with smoked salmon shmear. Tomorrow: still nine bagels in that bag. — CSB

Silver
Panera Bread
Four locations
panerabread.com

Bronze
Olde World Bagel
1670 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 527-9651
oldeworldbagel.com

All-you-can-eat never looked so Souper.

BEST

Souper Salad lets you feel skinny while eating to your heart’s content. Salad lovers can fill their plates, then fill them again and again. The $5.99 all-you-can-eat buffet features more than 60 salad items as well as a potato bar, pizza, made-from-scratch soups, a dessert bar and an ice cream machine. — JET

Silver
Poor Richard’s Restaurant
324 N. Tejon St., 632-7721

Bronze
Marigold Café & Bakery
4605 Centennial Blvd., 599-4776

BEST

Conway’s sells salads, but why on Earth would any self-respecting carnivore ever consider one? This place has fed beef to three generations of Springsites. You’ve got 8 ounces, and a choice of the glorious basics: cheese, chili, mushrooms or BBQ. Hey, if you simply must have veggies, have a zucchini or mushroom appetizer — both come nicely deep-fried. — KW

Silver
Red Robin
Four locations
redrobin.com

Bronze
Fatburger
7465 N. Academy Blvd., 535-8111
fatburger.com

BEST

When lamb and beef meet tzatziki inside a warm pita, the result is something magical, like when a unicorn reads Harry Potter. The Med Café (as regulars call it — probably because they need it like medicine) is a no-heat-lamps, fine-ingredient, fresh-prepared kind of place. Hence, best gyro. — MS

Silver
Jake and Telly’s
2616 W. Colorado Ave., 633-0406
greekdining.com

Bronze
The Pita Pit
8 E. Bijou St., 634-1748
773 Garden of the Gods Road, 277-7482
pitapitusa.com

BEST

For kicks, find someone who doesn’t know the power of Josh & John’s ice cream. Giggle to yourself as your uninitiated chum casually asks for extra candy to be mixed in with some cookies and cream ice cream, completely unaware of an impending goodness-induced coma. — SK

Silver
Cold Stone Creamery
Five locations
coldstonecreamery.com

It’s not karaoke night, it’s dessert at Josh & John’s. Photo By Jon Kelley

Bronze
Baskin Robbins
Five locations
baskinrobbins.com

BEST

If you’re apt to bemoan the loss of locally owned businesses downtown, let your salty tears fall into sweetness at Michelle’s. The candy store-slash-soda-fountain-slash-time-machine has been around since 1952, and still makes cases worth of delicacies (chocolate-covered cheesecake to caramel apples, two menu pages of desserts in all) with grandma’s care. — KW

Silver
Marigold Café & Bakery
4605 Centennial Blvd., 599-4776

Bronze
The Melting Pot Fondue Restaurant
30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., 385-0300
meltingpot.com

BEST

Love it or hate it, Whole Foods has become the Wal-Mart for the socially and environmental conscious few of us — but our army is growing. With big-box corporations as far as the eye can see, it’s nice to have an alternative. Thank you Whole Foods, for providing anything we might need that is actually good for the planet and us. — JK

Silver
Mountain Mama Natural Foods
1625 W. Uintah St., 633-4139

Bronze
Wild Oats Natural Marketplace
3180 New Center Point, 622-1099
wildoats.com

BEST

It ain’t the warm, colorful walls, or the cinnamon crunch bagels, or the comfort that comes with Panera being a known commodity. According to scores of our readers, it’s the bread, stupid. Stone-milled rye. Sesame semolina. Loads of loaves with asiago cheese. Understood. — KW

Silver
La Baguette
Four locations
restauranteur.com/co/cs/deli.htm

Bronze
Great Harvest Bread Company
6942 N. Academy Blvd., 528-6442
101 N. Tejon St., 635-7379
greatharvest.com

BEST

Readers couldn’t resist the bounties of homegrown fruits and vegetables at the farmers’ market in Old Colorado City by Bancroft Park. Week after week, on Saturdays — June through October — the market is one of the most colorful and popular morning attractions. A mainstay for more than a decade, this market attracts customers who know a simple truth: For some reason, vegetables just taste better when they’re purchased from the families that grew them. —MdY

The City’s old, but its farmers’ market produce is fresh.

Silver
Manitou Springs Midweek Market

Bronze
Memorial Park

BEST

Picnic Basket Catering Co.
1701 S. Eighth St., 635-0200
pbcatering.com

With items like almond-stuffed dates wrapped in apple-smoked bacon, Picnic Basket Catering has totally obliterated the same-old food, day-after-day routine. Co-owner Michelle Talarico says her company “will be forever grateful for all the support the community has shown us.” — TS

Silver
Cravings Catering & Special Events
1701 S. Eighth St., 635-0200
cravingscatering.com

Bronze
Alpine Chef Catering
2201 Hagerman St., 471-3663
alpinechef.com

BEST

Top 10 reasons we love King Soopers: 10) School savings programs; 9) online coupons; 8) freshly baked bread; 7) dozens of deli items; 6) brands we trust; 5) expanding organic aisles; 4) gas discounts; 3) customer card savings; 2) penny mechanical pony rides; and 1) cashiers who know your name. — JET

Silver
Whole Foods Market
7635 N. Academy Blvd., 531-9999
wholefoodsmarket.com

Bronze
Safeway
11 locations
safeway.com

BEST

Pikes Perk is the hot spot to meet, greet and surf. The venue’s wi-fi-enabled, java-pouring and musician-friendly environments jolt productivity and creative spirits. With fair-trade roasting, loose-leaf teas, wholesale programs and fundraising efforts, Pikes Perk is a force in the community. — TS

Silver
Raven’s Nest Coffee
330 N. Institute St., 632-3433

Bronze
Boulder Street Coffee Roasters
332 N. Tejon St., 577-4291

Briar Mart olives: Pretend they’re Skittles, and your kids will eat ’em. Photo By © 2006 L’Aura Montgomery

BEST

While our readers said Starbucks is the best place for a blind date, they didn’t say which one. We’ll assume they hoped to do a little groping after a gourmet latte at one of the chain’s two Tejon Street locations downtown.

Both Starbucks attract hordes of office shirts and skirts on weekday mornings but, by afternoon, the cafés turn decidedly clandestine, harboring enigmatic-looking laptop junkies and muted murmurs of development deals going belly-up. The starry-eyed romantics surface later, engaged in refreshingly awkward conversation as the baristas steam their milk. We presume these couples met online, each perhaps sipping a mocha, separated only by choice of a “home” Starbucks. — MdY Chain Coffee House

Silver
Pikes Perk Coffee & Tea House
Seven locations
pikesperk.com

Bronze
It’s a Grind Coffee House
3236 Centennial Blvd., 635-2411
9475 Briar Village Point, 277-0100
itsagrind.com

Bronze
Raven’s Nest Coffee
330 N. Institute St., 632-3433

BEST

Bronze
Old Chicago
Four locations
oldchicago.com

BEST

Bronze
Shuga’s Restaurant • Bar
702 S. Cascade Ave., 328-1412
shugas.com

BEST

Boulder Street is No. 1 with the kids because it has its own character — and it doesn’t shove itself in your face. A modest shop with cheap coffee, great snacks and sandwiches, this is a perfect hangout place. Just ask the high-schoolers who ditch classes for these digs. — JTR

Silver
High Rise Coffee Roasters
2421 W. Cucharras St., 633-1833
highrisecoffee.com

Bronze
Barista Espresso
625 W. Colorado Ave., 578-1185
rebelroaster.com

BEST

For 10 years, Briar Mart has featured products you won’t find elsewhere: French, Bulgarian and Greek feta cheeses, Kinder Surprise Eggs, German chocolates. Check out the café for chicken and beef kabobs or gyro sandwiches — most of their sales come from those waiting on their orders. — TD

Silver
Par Avion Finer Foods Emporium
1872 Southgate Road, 636-2328
paravionfood.com

Bronze
Carneceria Leonela
3736 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 637-2641